Birthday Brawl in Singapore: A Tale of Sudden Fury
In a surprising twist that would make even the most seasoned Singaporean exclaim, a 43‑year‑old man turned his own celebration into a violent saga. On his birthday, Sanjeevan Maha Lingam punched a cleaner and shattered his jaw during a heated argument over the cleaner’s decision to nap in a bin centre.
The Night That Started the Chaos
At roughly 7 pm the cleaner had wrapped up work at the Block 1 Jalan Kukoh bin centre and drifted off to a sofa for a quick rest. But the next evening, at about 11:15 pm, Sanjeevan decided it was the perfect time to wake him up—apparently to “give him a piece of cake.” What followed was a scramble that culminated in a single punch to the cleaner’s left cheek, breaking the jaw and requiring surgery.
Legal Consequences
- Voluntarily causing grievous hurt – 21 months and 4 weeks.
- Criminal force to deter a public servant – 2 charges.
- Protection from Harassment Act offences – 2 charges.
- Total of five admitted charges.
The court found no details about Sanjeevan’s occupation at the time. He pleaded guilty, admitting no lawyer and lamenting that he had no one to celebrate his birthday with, citing absent parents.
Earlier Offences Sparked the Verdict
During the investigation, the Deputy Public Prosecutor highlighted a string of prior incidents:
- Sept. 12 – drunken altercation at Hong Lim Market where Sanjeevan, holding a bottle, cursed a police officer and threw a plastic stool. Inside the lock‑up, he hurled a slipper that landed on the officer’s left arm, though no serious injury occurred.
- Feb. 21 – at 51 Chin Swee Road, he was caught with a glass pipe after allegedly harassing women near Block 34 Upper Cross Street. He had an immediate dispute with Sergeant Muhammad Firdaus Hussain, removing his mask and spitting on the sergeant while also spewing racist insults.
Sentencing Expectations
The prosecutor sought a total of two years, three months, and four weeks of jail for the case, pointing to his “repeated defiant conduct” and “history of violence.” The potential penalties for each charge were clear, ranging from up to 10 years jail and caning for grievous harm, to up to four years for obstructing public duties, and up to two years plus a $10,000 fine for harassment.
Final Thoughts
While Sanjeevan may have thought a quick nap would make for a calm midnight, the fallout from his actions turned what should have been a harmless birthday celebration into an event that shook the community, earns a 21‑month incarceration, and offers a stern reminder that calm is something to be practiced, not fought for.
